Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 19, 2026

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis
06:19

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis

Published on: January 7, 2018

Intrauterine growth retardation is a risk factor for cisapride-induced QT prolongation in preterm infants

Luigi Corvaglia1, Giacomo Faldella, Raffaella Rotatori

  • 1Department of Preventive Pediatrics and Neonatology, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 11, 40138 Bologna, Italy. luicorva@almadns.unibo.it

Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy
|February 18, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Cisapride can cause QT prolongation in preterm infants. Small for gestational age infants are at higher risk for this cardiac side effect due to intrauterine growth retardation.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal pharmacology
  • Pediatric cardiology
  • Perinatal medicine

Background:

  • Cisapride is a medication with a known risk of causing potentially life-threatening QT prolongation.
  • Understanding cardiac side effects is crucial, especially in vulnerable populations like premature infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cardiac side effects of Cisapride in premature infants.
  • To determine the relationship between fetal growth (specifically small for gestational age vs. appropriate for gestational age) and Cisapride-induced QT prolongation.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 46 preterm infants, divided into appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) groups.
  • Cisapride was administered at daily doses of 0.3 mg/kg or 0.6 mg/kg.
  • Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were used to measure QT-corrected (QTc) intervals before and during treatment, with a control group of 50 preterm infants.

Main Results:

  • No clinical evidence of Cisapride toxicity was observed in any patient.
  • Small for gestational age (SGA) infants exhibited significantly higher baseline and in-treatment QTc intervals compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants.
  • The mean QTc interval lengthening during Cisapride treatment was significantly greater in the SGA group than in the AGA group.
  • Three infants, all SGA, showed a QTc interval exceeding 440 ms.

Conclusions:

  • Intrauterine growth retardation is a significant risk factor for Cisapride-induced QT prolongation in preterm infants.
  • SGA status is associated with increased susceptibility to QTc interval changes during Cisapride therapy.
  • Close monitoring of cardiac function is recommended for SGA preterm infants treated with Cisapride.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction14:19

Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Published on: June 29, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists01:23

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists

Serotonin, a crucial neurotransmitter synthesized by enterochromaffin cells, plays a cardinal role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility. With over 90% of the body's total serotonin in the GI tract, its influence on digestive processes is profound. Serotonin is swiftly released upon various stimuli, such as food boluses or certain drugs, triggering intrinsic sensory neurons in the myenteric plexus and extrinsic vagal and spinal sensory neurons. This leads to the activation of the...
Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS

Pharmacological therapies for IBS-C are designed to alleviate abdominal discomfort and enhance bowel function. In patients with IBS-C, fiber supplements may help soften stools and decrease straining, but may also lead to increased gas production and bloating. Osmotic laxatives like milk of magnesia are frequently used to soften stools and increase stool frequency in IBS-C patients. In addition, two drugs approved for use in severe IBS-C adult cases are linaclotide (Linzess) and lubiprostone...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists01:27

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists

5-HT3 receptor antagonists, such as dolasetron, granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran), and palonosetron (Axoli), are crucial in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and postoperative nausea. These drugs selectively block 5-HT3 receptors in the visceral vagal and spinal afferent nerves, chemoreceptor trigger zone, and the vomiting center. They have a rapid onset of action and can be given as a single dose before chemotherapy. Ondansetron and granisetron, in particular,...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems01:21

Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems

Controlled-release systems for intravaginal and intrauterine drug delivery have been developed primarily for the administration of contraceptive steroid hormones. These delivery routes circumvent first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby enhancing bioavailability and allowing for reduced systemic dosages compared to oral administration. Such approaches contribute to improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance, particularly in long-term contraceptive regimens.Intravaginal Drug Delivery...
Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics: Dependence of Elimination Half-Life and Dose Clearance01:23

Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics: Dependence of Elimination Half-Life and Dose Clearance

The elimination half-life and drug clearance of drugs following nonlinear kinetics can vary with dosage. The Michaelis-Menten parameters and drug concentration influence these factors. As the dose increases, the elimination half-life tends to lengthen, resulting in a reduction in clearance and a disproportionately larger area under the curve. The total clearance can be derived from the Michaelis-Menten equation for drugs following a one-compartment model.
A study on guinea pigs examined the...